Choose open blooms
Single-form flowers are often easier for insects to use than densely doubled blooms.
A pretty flower with no accessible pollen is decoration, not dinner.
Stretch the season
Early, mid and late blooms keep visitors returning.
One week of flowers helps; three seasons of flowers builds habitat.
Leave some shelter
Bare stems, leaves and quiet corners can protect overwintering insects.
Tidiness has ecological costs when it removes every hiding place.
Field Takeaways
- Avoid pesticide use during bloom.
- Plant clusters, not singles.
- Provide shallow water safely.